Solderless Interference Fit Clamp for Endotracheal Tube Wire Termination

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for terminating wires to surface electrodes on endotracheal tubes, such as the use of flex circuits and electrically conductive epoxy, are costly and prone to short circuits.

Innovation Solution

A solderless interference fit clamp is used to securely connect wire terminals to conductive ink electrodes on the endotracheal tube, eliminating the need for flex circuits and conductive epoxy, and utilizing a tubular clamp structure with notches, holes, and trenches to hold the wires in place.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If flex circuits and conductive epoxy are used to terminate wires to surface electrodes, then electrical connection is achieved, but cost increases and risk of short circuits increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshort circuit preventionVSAvoidconnection structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp is divided into two semicylindrical elements that can be attached together to form a tubular structure. This segmentation allows the clamp to be opened for wire insertion and then closed to secure the connection, simplifying the overall connection process while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The clamp acts as an intermediary component between the wire terminal and the conductive ink electrode. It provides a secure mechanical interface that holds the wire terminal against the electrode, ensuring reliable electrical connection without requiring complex flex circuits or conductive epoxy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If flex circuits and conductive epoxy are used to terminate wires to surface electrodes, then electrical connection is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidconnection stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp provides a cost-effective alternative to expensive flex circuits and conductive epoxy. It uses simple semicylindrical elements that can be manufactured at low cost while providing reliable wire termination, eliminating the need for expensive materials

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Object-generated harmful factors

If conductive epoxy is used to terminate wires to surface electrodes, then electrical connection is achieved, but mess and short circuit risk increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshort circuit riskVSAvoidapplication process

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the need for conductive epoxy from the wire termination process. By using a mechanical clamp structure, it removes the messy application process and associated short circuit risks while maintaining reliable electrical connection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP2800509B1Clamp for securing a terminal end of a wire to a surface electrode

Publication Date: 2018.10.10 MEDTRONIC XOMED INC

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AI summary

A clamp for securing a terminal end of a wire to a surface electrode formed on a cylindrical tube includes a first semicylindrical element. A second semicylindrical element is configured to be attached to the first semicylindrical element to form a tubular clamp structure that is adapted to be clamped around the cylindrical tube. The tubular clamp structure includes an interior surface configured to securely hold a terminal end of a wire against a surface electrode formed on the cylindrical tube.